Saturday 24 May - MCG
Crowd - 37,791
The Demons mastered the muddy conditions better than any of their opponents but it might have been regarded as a pyhrric victory as they ended up playing the equivalent of a full match while many of their opponents went into the sheds and effectively enjoyed a bye.
Noel Clarke was the top goalkicker for the day with four, and was voted the best player in the competition. Bob Johnston hurt his ankle and Bill Smeaton his wrist in the final.
The proceeds of the event went to the VFL Players Provident Fund.
Melbourne's squad was chosen from Arnold, Bickford, Clarke, Cordner, Collins, Jackson, McGivern, McMahen, McKaite, I. McLean, T. McLean, McKenzie, Smeaton, Spencer, Thomson, Woods, Albiston, Orr, Wilson, O'Keefe, Love, Johnson, R. McMahon, Krause, Ferguson and Whittaker.
Round 1
| Melbourne | 0.2 | 2.2 |
| Essendon | 1.1 | 1.2 |
Goalkickers: John Ferguson 1, Jim Wilson 1
With the game level at the end of 20 minutes the match went to sudden death and rover Jim Wilson goalled from a boundary throw-in to give his team the victory.
Best were Cordner, McKenzie and McMahen.
Team:
B: Spencer, Arnold, T. McLean
HB: McMahen, Woods, Johnston
C: I. McLean, Bickford, Jackson
HF: McKenzie, McGivern, Pierce
F: Wilson, Smeaton, Ferguson
R: Cordner, Clarke, Albiston
19/20: O'Keefe, Krause
Quarter Final
| Melbourne | 1.1 | 4.1 |
| Geelong | 1.1 | 1.2 |
Goalkickers: Noel Clarke 2, Bob McKenzie 1, Max Orr 1
Geelong kicked the opening goal, but they didn't get another. Melbourne were soon in front through McKenzie, and the game went to half time level. Orr goalled from a free, and after a Geelong forward hit the point from point-blank range Noel Clarke kicked two more.
Best were McKenzie, Clarke and Jackson
Team
B: Spencer, Arnold, T. McLean
HB: McMahon, Woods, Johnston
C: I. McLean, Bickford, Jackson
HF: McKenzie, McGivern, Orr
F: Wilson, Smeaton, Krause
Foll: Cordner, Clarke, Albiston
19/20 - Pierce, Ferguson
Semi Final
| Melbourne | 1.2 | 2.5.17 |
| North Melbourne | 1.1 | 2.1.13 |
Goalkickers: Bill Smeaton 1, Noel Clarke 1
With on 30 minutes' break since their quarter final Victory, Melbourne fielded a much changed lineup. North attacked heavily early, kicking the first goal before Smeaton put his side back in front after a free kick. Clarke narrowly missed an opportunity early in the second half, and with McMahen holding North at the other end Melbourne was able to keep up the pressure. After a number of missed chances - including a sitter by Wilson that would have extended the margin beyond a goal - Clarke took advantage of a North turnover to kick the decisive goal.
North fought back from a seemingly hopeless position and kicked the goal that reduced the margin to less than six with barely any time left. They attacked again, but with seconds to go, a shot was chopped off on the line by Lance Arnold to protect the four point margin and see the Demons through to the final.
Best were Cordner, Wilson and Albiston
Team:
B: Spencer, Arnold, T. McLean
HB: McMahen, Woods, Johnston
C: Pierce, Bickford, Jackson
HF: McKenzie, McGivern, Orr
F: Wilson, Smeaton, Ferguson
R: Cordner, Clarke, Albiston
19/20: R. McLean, Krause
Final
| Melbourne | 0.2 | 1.2 |
| South Melbourne | 0.1 | 0.1 |
Goalkicker: Noel Clarke 1
In muddy conditions which hadn't been made any better by a day's play, and with darkness rapidly taking over the MCG, the Demons and Swans engaged in a pitched battle in the mud. Neither team scored a goal in the first half, with Melbourne holding a one point advantage after turning constant attack into a pair of behinds.
By the second half players resorted to kicking the ball off the ground, but South looked the fresher team having played a game less due to a first round bye. The Swans were dominant early but couldn't break through strong Melbourne defence, and the Demons scored against the run of play through Noel Clarke with a goal on the run. It was on the only goal for the game, and after finishing runner up three years in a row Melbourne were Lightning Premiership champions.
Tom McLean and Stuart Spencer both repelled late advances by South and helped their side win the competition. Cordner, Bickford and Woods were best. Pierce replaced Johnson.
Team
B: Spencer, Arnold, T. McLean
HB: McMahen, Woods, Johnston
C: R. McLean, Bickford, Jackson
HF: McKenzie, McGivern, Orr
F: Wilson, Smeaton, Krause
R: Cordner, Clarke, Albiston
19/20: Ferguson, Pierce
Media
Sun - 23/05/1952
Sporting Globe - 24/05/1952, 24/05/1952, 24/05/1952, 24/05/1952
Herald - 24/05/1952
Argus - 26/05/1952, 26/05/1952
Age - 26/05/1952, 28/05/1952
Football Record - R6 1952